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South Dakota
Ornithologists' Union
Birding Hotspots - Southeast
SDOU
Home
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| 1) Union Grove
State Park |
| Species of Interest UGSP is one of the best places in the state to observe neotropical migrants during spring and fall migrations. At the peak of spring migration in mid-May, 20 species of warblers are possible on any given day including rarities such as Rock Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Pine Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, and Hooded Warbler. Regional specialties that breed at UCSP include Field Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, both Eastern and Spotted Towhees, Whip-poor-wills, Northern Bobwhite, and Wild Turkeys. UCSP also has breeding records for Scarlet Tanagers and Eastern Meadowlarks, both of which are very rare nesters in southeastern South Dakota. Species that can be found in fall include Long-eared Owl, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill, Purple Finch, Broad-winged hawk, Harris's Sparrow, and Clay-colored Sparrow. |
| 2) Adams Homestead and Nature
Preserve |
| Species of Interest Situated on Mud Lake, a large oxbow lake formerly the main channel of the Missouri River, the Adams Nature Preserve offers wetlands and gallery forest that provide excellent habitat for waterfowl and landbirds. |
| 3) Burbank
Lake Access Area |
| Species of Interest This site is special because it is adjacent to a small oxbow which usually is occupied by a foraging Least Tern in the summer and because its vegetation is in an early successional stage. This type of habitat is rare along the Missouri River because river water levels are managed to prevent flooding along the river edges that historically prevented riparian forests from reaching late successional stages. In addition to breeding Least Terns, the sandbars in this area support breeding Piping Plovers, although they are less easily seen from shore. In the riparian forest, Bell's Vireos, American Redstarts, Indigo Buntings, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Orchard Orioles, Whip-poor-wills, and Ovenbirds are abundant, while along the river's edge Great Blue Herons and Green Herons are usually Present. Look for Blue Grosbeaks, Vesper Sparrows, American Kestrels, Dickcissels, and Lark Sparrows in the adjacent fields. |
| 4) Clay
County State Recreation Area/ Myron Grove Lake Access
Area |
| Species of Interest Both of these sites are in the Vermillion area and offer excellent stopover habitat for neotropical migrants including rarities like Northern Mockingbird, Carolina Wren, Golden-winged Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, as well as local specialties such as Northern Cardinal and Northern Bobwhite. Regular summer species include Bell's Vireo (mostly on sandbars), Turkey Vulture, Whip-poor-will, Yellow- and Black-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, American Redstart, Indigo Bunting, and Orchard Oriole. There are recent summer records for Bald Eagles in this area, however eagles are abundant winter residents along the Missouri River. The only winter record for Hermit Thrush in South Dakota is from Myron Grove, which was caught visiting a spring located between the parking area and boat ramp. This spring is a very good place to view birds in all seasons. Other things to look for are migrating Swainson's (in the fields) and Broad-winged Hawks (along the river) as well as Least Terns foraging in the river channel. Look for Blue Grosbeaks, Vesper Sparrows, American Kestrels, Dickcissels, and Lark Sparrows in the adjacent fields. |
| 5) Gavin's Point Dam/ Lewis
and Clark Lake |
| Species of Interest Gavin's Point Dam is the last dam on the Missouri River. The Missouri River from below Gavin's Point to Sioux City represents the only remaining undammed and unchanneled stretch of this mighty river. The forests in the Gavin's Point and Lewis and Clark Lake area are home to the usual profile of species in the previous accounts and can offer excellent birding, but most birders come to see check out what's on the water. Late fall and winter are prime birding with Black-legged Kittiwake, Sabine's Gull, Glaucous Gull, Oldsquaw, Surf Scoter, and White-winged Scoter uncommon, but regular, with rarities such as Greater Black-backed Gull possible. Expect to see lots of Bonaparte's and Ring-billed Gulls, Common, Hooded, and Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, and the usual cast of puddle ducks, maybe even a Black Duck! The dam area has also had records breeding American Woodcocks and a King Rail. The adjacent hills are also good places to see Black-billed Magpies, which are uncommon in eastern South Dakota. |
| 6) Newton Hills
State Park |
| Species of Interest Newton Hills is one of the largest tracks of eastern deciduous forest in South Dakota. Many trails wind through wooded ravines and bluffs that border the Big Sioux River. Sitting on the northwest corner of the range of many woodland species, Newton Hills can offer pleasant surprises. Most woodland birds that can be found in eastern South Dakota can be seen sometime during the year at Newton Hills The best birding seems to center around the Horse Camp and Sargeant Creek. During late spring and early summer, follow the trail beside Sargeant Creek from the Horse Camp parking area. Blue-gray Gnatcathers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, both Eastern and Spotted Towhees and Great Crested Flycathers can be found along the creek with a Blue-winged Warbler often singing in the open prairie. As you reach the picnic pavilion look for Scarlet Tanagers. At first light, Whip-poor-wills and American Woodcocks can be seen and heard in all direction of the trail. Take the trail mentioned above but follow the first fork to the right to a wooded ravine. You can sometimes find a Kentucky Warbler as well as American Redstarts. Where Sargeant Creek enters The Big Sioux River the surrounding riparian forest has Cerulean Warblers and Yellow-throated Vireos. Newton Hills with its wooded ravines and riparian forest offers some of the best birding in South Dakota. contributed by: |
| 7) Lake Andes
NWR |
| Species of Interest Good during migration for waterfowl and waders. Check the surrounding areas for shorebirds and migrating songbirds like Sharp-tailed and LeConte's Sparrows. |
